Does the 22-250 really have the stuff?

[McKinneyMike]

I used a 22-250 for a rifle hunt in texas and when we skinned that deer one of the shoulders was completely destroyed, so we couldn't get any meat of it. The other shoulder had bruised spots too so yea a 22-250 is plenty enough for deer.

Well the Texas deer that i have seen are no bigger than a large dog, so sure a 22-250 will work fine.  Most people shoot deer in the 200lbs plus range though and a 22-250 is just too light to be effective in the hands of anyone short of marksmen at very short range.  Killing should be merciful.  Save the 22 calibers for the crows and coyotes please.  

  My personal preference for deer and hogs would be a 25-06, but there are many options that fit the bill

[EFBell]

I also belive the 25-06 is the perfect deer cartridge. And I also believe the 22-250 will be around long after the WSSM's are little more than footnote in cartridge history books. But, to each his own. I do realize that there are better bullets available these days for the 22's that were not available just a few years ago.

[wbm]

...Just use the .270..lol.. ...By the time you buy a new gun & scope setup, think how much .270 ammo you can buy for that price..

Ditto! 

[MAGNUS]

I do realize that there are better bullets available these days for the 22's that were not available just a few years ago.

If you do use proper bullet choice like a barnes tsx or nosler partition then the 22-250 WILL be fine for all deer given correct bullet placement.

[Deserthunter]

While a 22-250 MAY bring a nice buck down, In my opinion is barely sufficient to do the job and then only when placement is perfect.......

At 200yrds a typical .224 bullet that started at 3700fps has less than 1000ft lbs of energy left.  At 300yrds it's down to less than 750ft lbs. 

I've taken more than 40 head of Muley out west, with shots from 200-600yrds, Most, If not all were taken with my 270win using 130gr loaded to 3100fps.  At 200yrds it's still got over 2000ft lbs of energy, enough to put a deer down with a nicely placed shot....

For many, many years my 22-250's have taken coyotes with no problem, but for big game, give me a big game rifle......

I've seen to many wounded animals running around from hunters that have gotten excited and not placed a bullet where it belongs and in the heat of the moment it's so easy..... Use a rifle that's designed to bring down the animal your hunting and practice, practice......  JMHO

[SD Dogger]

If you want to hunt hogs and coyotes with the same rifle, I would NOT go for a .22-250 ..... they are fine coyote meds but when you factor in hogs ....

......... I would go UPSCALE to at least a .243 but better still a .257 Bob

Three 44s

Agree.  I've been shooting a .22-250 for a long time, and it is great p-dog and yote medicine, but for a hog I would pass.  .243 would be better, not a great hog gun, .270 is much better, but better than a .22-250.

[McKinneyMike]

I like the 22-250 also, but it is not a deer round.  Well maybe some of the dog sized Texas deer, but not what I call deer sized animals across the majority of the US.  A .243 is a minimum in my book.

[MAGNUS]

Im gonna say this.. i kill deer with a 223 people kill deer all the time with a 22 hornet. Do i suggest this to everyone well no, but is it as humane and just as good as other calibres.. yes as long as you know how and what to do. Deer is by far not big game it is medium at best. Larger bore size is not a substitute for poor bullet palcement in my books.

[bootsmcguire]

I shoot a 12FV 22-250 with a 1-12 twist and 55gr Sierra Spitzers, and on Coyotes it stops em in their tracks. I have never had the opportunity to take a hog, as them seem to be far and few between here in the midwest. As far as an all around gun that's light on recoil and cheap to shoot I always seem to find myself reaching for my my 12FV in 308 Win. If you need a gun to do it all I love the heavy gun and hard hitting power of the 308 12FV. Too bad they discontinued it for 2009.